Canon Ultura - Ultura Digital Camcorder- User Manual

Your camcorder is supplied with thefollowing accessories: Intr oduction 6 E Thank you for Choosing a Canon Camcorder WL-D72 WirelessController Two AA batteries SS-600 Shoulder Strap Lens cap and lens capcord (Attached to camcorder) S-150 S-video Cable STV-250 Stereo VideoCable Lithium button battery...

The ULTURA has thetechnology to capturecrisp, clear, digital stillpictures. Intr oduction 7 E From wide-angle to 16 × telephoto — withunparalleled opticalquality. The digital zoommagnifies this up to320 × for even more dramatic results. Optical technologystabilizes yourrecordings even in longtelepho...

Before operating your camera, you will need to use the power adapter to: Provide power from an AC outletorCharge a battery pack Notes:• The power adapter converts current from a household power socket (100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz) to the DC current used by your camera. • If the adapter is used next to a ...

9 E Mastering the Basics Charging and attaching the battery pack Your battery pack was partially charged before it left the factory. It should haveenough power for you to check that your camera is working properly. However,you must charge the battery pack fully if you want it to power the camera for...

1. Make sure that you have inserted a power source. 2. Slide the OPEN button to release the cover (the camera’s grip). • Pull the cover fully open. 3. Press the EJECT I button and wait for the cassette compartment to open. 4. Load or unload the cassette. • Insert the cassette gently with the window ...

11 E Mastering the Basics Protecting tapes from accidental erasure To protect your recording from accidental erasure, slide the tab on the cassette sothat it exposes the hole. (This switch position is usually labeled SAVE or ERASEOFF.)If you load this cassette and put the camera in record pause mode...

Have you completed the following steps?• Attached a power source (p. 8).• Loaded a cassette (p. 10).• Removed the lens cap and fastened the grip belt (p. 74).• Chosen the display: viewfinder or LCD screen (p. 16)• Adjusted the viewfinder (as applicable, p. 74). You may also want to install the backu...

4. Press the start/stop button again to pause recording. • The camera returns to record pause mode and PAUSE reappears in the display. • You can stop and restart recording as often as you like by pressing the start/stop button. 5. Turn the standby lever to LOCK. • As long as the POWER switch is set ...

You can record and play back a tape in SP (standard play) and LP (long play)modes. LP extends tape usage by 1.5 times.To switch to LP mode, select REC MODE from the camera or VCR menu, selectLP and then close the menu (for instructions on how to use the menus, refer topage 26). Mastering the Basics ...

The camera’s 16 × zoom lens allows you to choose the best picture angle for each scene:• Press the zoom control towards WIDE to zoom out to wide-angle.• Press it towards TELE to zoom in to telephoto. You can also control the speed of zooming:• Press the control slightly to zoom slowly.• Press it fur...

16 E Mastering the Basics Using the LCD Screen When you open the LCD screen, it turns on. When you close it, the viewfinderturns on instead. When the LCD screen is closed with its screen side facing up, theLCD screen remains on. Switching between displays You can choose the angle of the screenthat s...

When you turn the LCD panel so that itfaces the opposite direction (see diagramopposite), you can watch yourself duringrecording or let your subject monitorrecording. The viewfinder is also activated when thepanel is in this position.• During this “monitor recording”, you can choose the display styl...

Mastering the Basics 18 E Built-in speaker The camcorder has a built-in speaker so you can review the sound track alongsidethe picture during playback. Adjust the speaker volume by pressing the volume control buttons.• A VOLUME bar appears in the display to indicate the current volume.• You can turn...

Mastering the Basics 19 E Playing Back a Cassette You can use the LCD screen for instant, on-the-spot playback. The camera alsoplays back the sound track via the built-in speaker (p. 18).• When you play back a tape, it is convenient to close the LCD screen with its screen side facing up. • When the ...

Mastering the Basics 20 E Playback pause Press the PAUSE a button. To resume normal playback, press it again, or press the PLAY e button. The camera automatically goes into stop mode after about five minutes’ playback pause. Fast forward playback To play back the recording at about 9.5 times normal ...

Mastering the Basics 21 E Special playback All these modes except for Frame Advance and Frame Reverse can only beoperated from the wireless controller (p. 29). Frame Advance To play back frame by frame, press the +/ ae button or turn the command dial (on the camera body) clockwise repeatedly during ...

• Use the S-150 S-video Cable to connect the S-video terminal d . Use the STV-250 Stereo Video Cable, to connect the AUDIO terminals. Connect thewhite plug to the white AUDIO terminal 7 (left). Connect the red plug to the red AUDIO terminal 9 (right). Do not connect the yellow plug. • Set the TV/VID...

To prevent any unwanted movement, you can mount thecamera on a tripod, (or any flat surface at a suitableheight.) and operate it with the wireless controller.• When you are using a tripod, be careful not to leave the viewfinder exposed to bright sunlight or it may melt.(The light is concentrated by ...

Use pans to record a landscape orfollow a moving subject. Decide thearea you want to cover and stand facingthe end of your panning angle. Withoutmoving your feet, turn your waist to thestarting position. Start recording, andafter a few seconds begin to turn slowlyfrom the waist. Hold the final image...

25 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Turning the Optical Image Stabilizer On/Off With most camcorders, even the slightest hand movements will be noticeableduring telephoto recording. However, the ULTURA’s Optical Image Stabilizerallows you to obtain steady recordings even at high magnification. Un...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 26 E Selecting from the Menus Many of the camera’s advanced functions are selected from menus which appearin the display. There are four main menus: 1. Camera menu (when the camera is in record pause mode: the POWER switch set to [ or Q and the standby lever set to ...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 28 E It is convenient to close the LCD screen with its screen side facing up when youselect items from the menus. Press the screen until it clicks into place. 1. Press the MENU button to open the menu. 2. Turn the command dial to move the arrow up or down the displa...

29 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Using the Wireless Controller/Tally Lamp The supplied wireless controller canoperate the camera from a distance ofup to 16 feet (5 m). Point it at thecamera’s remote sensor while you pressthe buttons. The tally lamp lights up to let youknow that the camera is i...

1. Open either the camera, VCR or set up menu, and point the arrow at WIRELESS C. 2. Select the OFF setting and close the menu. • C | appears in the display. The tally lamp lets you know that thecamera is recording. However, itsflashing may be reflected into the lensduring close-up recording, or whe...

The date and/or time display forms part of the data code. You can choose todisplay or hide it during playback (see p. 34). Set the date and time display when you first start using your camera. Install thebackup battery before you begin (see p. 76). • Before you start setting the date and time, selec...

You can choose to display or hide the date and time display during recording.When the date and time display is set to ON, the date and time show in the lowerleft corner of the display but the time zone disappears in about four seconds. It isnot recorded onto your tape. 33 E Using the Full Rang e of ...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 34 E 1. Press down and slide the POWER switch to VCR. 2. Open the VCR menu and select D/TIME SEL. 3. Choose between DATE, TIME and DATE & TIME. 4. Press the MENU button to close the menu. Setting the display style D/TIME SEL.•DATE & TIME (see p. 26)

35 E Using the Full Rang e of Features A data code, containing the date and time the recording was made and othercamera data (shutter speed and exposure settings) is automatically recorded on aspecial data section of the tape. During VCR mode, the data code can be displayed or hidden while the camer...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 36 E Date/Time Camera data Date/Time & Camera data Time Date & Time Date Setting the “ Data Code ” Setting “ Select Date/Time ” 1 2 : 0 0 A M 1 2 : 0 0 A M F 3 1 / 22 0 0 0 1 2 : 0 0 : 0 0 AM 1 2 : 0 0 : 0 0 A M F 3 1 / 22 0 0 0 F 3 1 / 22 0 0 0 F 3 1 / 22 0...

37 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Taking Still Pictures (Photo Mode) You can record still pictures like a photograph. The camera records the picture totape for approximately 6 seconds. The exposure is automatically adjusted.You can capture the still images on your computer, enhance or retouch t...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 38 E Notes:• While the camera records the still, you cannot use the camera functions (when a cassette is loaded, standby lever/power off do not cut the power until recordingis complete). • You cannot use digital effects while the camera is set to photo mode.• You ca...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 40 E Searching and Reviewing While Recording When the camera is in record pause mode, you can use record review to play backthe last few seconds of your recording and then return automatically to recordpause mode. You can quickly make sure that a scene has recorded ...

41 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Using the Various Recording Programs The camera provides you with a choice of eight recording programs. They usedifferent combinations of camera settings in order to adjust the exposure and otherfunctions to match the recording situation.• For simple point-and-...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 42 E Selecting from the program menu 1. Set the camera to record pause mode, with the POWER switch set to the Q position. 2. Press the set button to open the program menu. 3. Turn the command dial to move the arrow up or down the display. 4. Press the set button. • ...

The FlexiZone is the same as the Auto modeexcept that you can use FlexiZone AF andFlexiZone AE. You can also adjust shutterspeeds in this program.• You cannot use FlexiZone in photo mode.• If you zoom in to a magnification greater than 64 × digital zoom, you cannot use FlexiZone AF or FlexiZone AE (...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 44 E Sand & Snow Spotlight This program is designed for recordingspotlit scenes, such as on a stage. Theexposure is automatically adjusted for glare-free recordings of subjects lit by aconcentrated light source. SAND&SNOW SPOTLIGHT Low Light Use this program...

45 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Using Digital Effects Black and White (BLK&WHT) Adds a paint-like effect, calledsolarization, to the image. Art (ART) Records the image in black and white. Fade Trigger (FADE-T) Vertical Wipe (WIPE a ) When you start recording, the picturebegins as a thin v...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 46 E Sepia (SEPIA) Strobe (STROBE) Records a monochrome image with asepia tint. This effect converts on-screen action toa series of still images, giving an effectsimilar to slow-motion. 1. Set the camera to record pause mode, with the POWER switch set to the Q posit...

47 E Using the Full Rang e of Features 16:9 mode (Widescreen TV recording) Produces images in the 16:9 format forplayback on widescreen TVs. 16:9••••••••OFF (see p. 26) Reactivating the Fade and Wipe Effects You need to activate the fade trigger and vertical and horizontal wipe effects eachtime you ...

For greater creative control over audiorecording, you can connect an externalmicrophone to the camera’s MICterminal.You can monitor the sound whilerecording by attaching stereoheadphones to the camera’s H terminal. Using the Full Rang e of Features 48 E Audio Recording The ULTURA can record sound in...

49 E Using the Full Rang e of Features WIND SCREEN•AUTO The camera has an automatic wind screen to prevent wind noise from interferingwith the sound track. (It does not operate with an external microphone: WS | is displayed.) Turn it off when you want the microphone to be as sensitive aspossible. 1....

Using the Full Rang e of Features 50 E Setting the Self-Timer This is useful when you want to include yourself in the picture when recording. 1. Set the camera to record pause mode. 2. Press the self-timer button “ ” on the camera body or the SELF- TIMER button on the wireless controller. • SELF T. ...

The camera can focus automatically. All you have to do is point it, and whatever isin the center of the display will usually be in sharp focus. If it does not seem to befocusing well, it may be because the subject is not suitable for autofocus. It also has two functions which give you more control o...

Use the FOCUS wheel to set the focus.• Turn it downwards (towards ∞ ) to move the focus further away. • Turn it upwards to bring the focus nearer. • If you zoom in on your subject after turning off autofocus, it may not stayin focus. It is generally best to adjustthe zoom first, and then the focus. ...

53 E Using the Full Rang e of Features Adjusting Exposure Manually The camera adjusts the exposure automatically, making sure that your pictures areneither too dark nor too light. There is a choice of eight recording programs todeal with different recording conditions (see p. 41). This section expla...

To make the recorded image brighter,turn the command dial clockwise (to amaximum of +11). This may benecessary if the background is verybright, or if the subject is lit frombehind. Using the Full Rang e of Features 54 E Notes:• The standard exposure level depends on which recording program you have ...

55 E Using the Full Rang e of Features You can increase or decrease the shutter speed before you record a scene. 1. Make sure the camera is set to record pause mode, in the Auto or FlexiZone program. 2. Turn the command dial to select the shutter speed. • The selected shutter speed flashes in the di...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 56 E Setting the White Balance 1. Open the camera menu and point the arrow at WHITE BAL. 2. a) For the indoor, outdoor or auto settings simply choose the setting. • T / U appears in the display when you set the white balance to indoor/outdoor mode. b) To set the whi...

Using the Full Rang e of Features 58 E Returning to a Pre-Marked Position Use the wireless controller to go back to a pre-determined point on a tapefollowing playback. 1. Press the ZERO SET MEMORY button during playback at a point you want to return to later. • The time code is replaced by a tape co...

1. Prepare the camera. Connect the video cables, and place it so that itcan control your VCR by remotecontrol. 2. Play back the video. When a section of the video you want tokeep starts, press the set button.Press the button again at the endof the section you want to keep.You can choose up to 20 sce...

Editing 60 E The camcorder’s Auto Editing Functioncontrols your VCR by using the sameinfra-red signals as the VCR’s remotecontrol. Make sure the camera is in a spot whereit can remotely control your VCR. Setting the Camera to Control your VCR 1. Check where the remote control sensor is on your VCR u...

1. Make sure that the camera and VCR are set up as in “Preparing for Editing,” and “Setting the Camera to Control your VCR,” p. 60. 2. Open the set up menu and point the arrow to RECORDER . • It is easiest to view the menu on the TV screen. 61 E Editing When you use the editing function for thefirst...

Editing 62 E Brand Settings Canon 1-A to 1-C Aiwa 2-A to 2-C Akai 3-A to 3-C Fujitsu 4 Funai 5 Hitachi 6-A to 6-B JVC 7-A to 7-C Mitsubishi 8-A to 8-D NEC 9-A to 9-D Panasonic 10-A to10-G BlaupunktQuasar Brand Settings Pioneer 11 Sanyo 12-A to12-C FisherSharp 13-A to 13-C Sony 14-A to 14-F Toshiba 1...

You can put a scene into the editingprogram by pressing the set button at thepoint where you want the scene to start andat the point where you want it to end. (The“cut-in” and the “cut-out” points.)Instead of using the controls on thecamcorder body, you can use the wirelesscontroller. The t button c...

You can preview the editing program. ThePREVIEW function plays the whole program,automatically pausing at the “cut-in” and “cut-out”of each scene to help editing. 1. Choose PREVIEW from the edit menu and select the program number fromwhich the preview starts by turning thecommand dial. 65 E Editing ...

1. Make sure the VCR is ready to record and on pause. 2. Choose START from the edit menu and select the program number from whichyou want to start the editing program byturning the command dial. Editing 66 E E D I MO D E T T S A T R [ M E N U ] R T N Running the editing program (START function) 3. T...

The point where a scene starts is called the “cut-in” point, and the point where itends is called the “cut-out” point. Some VCR models take a second or more to actually start recording after theyreceive the command signal. If this happens you could lose the beginning of thescene. CUT-IN ADJ. prevent...

Editing 68 E How to calculate the best adjustment for the “cut-in” and“cut-out” points The tape on which you recorded the digital timer in “Setting RECORDER” isused for calculating the adjustment value. 1. Rewind the tape in the VCR and play back the recorded digital timer. • Look at the time the CU...

P OFFVCR POWER SET 69 E Editing This deletes the whole program. 1. Choose CLEAR ALL from the edit menu. 2. Press the set button. • All the program number indications will return to normal. All data is deleted. • Please do not do this by mistake, or you will have to start again from the beginning. Yo...

Editing 70 E Reordering Scenes You can move the scenes around and reorderthem. 1. Choose RELOCATE from the edit menu and select the program numberwhich you want to relocate by turningthe command dial. • The selected program number flashes. 2. Press the set button. • The selected program number moves...

1. Find a point on your recorded cassette slightly ahead of the section you want to copy. 2. Start to play it back while you monitor the picture on the TV. 3. Start recording on the VCR as soon as the section you want to copy appears on the screen. 4. Pause the VCR at the end of the section you want...

Editing 72 E REW PLAY FF REC PAUSE SEARCH SELECT ZERO SET MEMORY STOP PAUSE SLOW 2 DV REC Digital video equipment fitted with this terminal lets you edit, copy and transferdata digitally, with virtually no generation loss in image and sound quality. TheDV terminal is for both line-in and line-out, s...

73 E Editing Copyright signal Certain pre-recorded software tapes are copyright protected. If you try to playback such a cassette, “COPYRIGHT PROTECTED PLAYBACK ISRESTRICTED” appears in the display for a few seconds and then the cameradisplays a blank blue screen; you cannot view the contents of the...

74 E Ad ditional Inf ormation Preparing the Camera • In record pause mode, turn the viewfinder focusing lever (focusingthe display) to suit your eyesight. • The viewfinder rotates to give a choice of shooting positions. • For extra security and portability, attach the shoulder strap before usingthe ...

• These times vary — the safest policy is always to have two or three times as many battery packs as you think you will need. • You will get more recording time if you turn the camera off between shots, instead of leaving it in record pause mode. Additional Information 75 E Notes on Using the Batter...

76 E Ad ditional Inf ormation Taking care of the battery pack Always attach the terminal cover.• Do not allow any metal objects to touch the terminals, as this can causea short circuit and damage the batterypack. Attach the terminal coverwhenever the battery pack is notbeing used. Installing the bac...

Additional Information 77 E Cautions:• Do not pick up the battery using tweezers or other metal tools — this will cause a short circuit. • Wipe the battery with a clean, dry cloth to ensure proper contact.• Keep the battery pack out of reach of children — if it is swallowed, contact a physician imme...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 78 E When you play back a tape that was recorded in 12 bit mode, you can set theaudio output: stereo 1 (the original sound), stereo 2 (any new sound, dubbed to thetape after recording), or a mixture of the two. • Audio from the 16 bit mode only contains stereo 1 sound and so...

Avoid high temperatures and high humidity.• Do not leave the camera inside a car in hot weather, for example.• Be careful of heat radiating from video lighting equipment.• Do not take the camera into a humid room. Avoid sudden changes in temperature.• If you take the camera from a cold place to a wa...

Additional Information 81 E Power sources• You can use the compact power adapter to operate your camera and charge battery packs in any country where the electricity supply is between 100 and240 V AC, 50/60 Hz. Contact your Canon dealer for information about plugadapters for overseas use. TV playbac...

Condensation may form on the camera when it is moved from a cold place to awarm place. Using the camera while condensation is present can damage both thetape and the camera. Condensation may become a problem: 82 E Ad ditional Inf ormation Condensation When the camera is taken from an air-conditioned...

83 E Additional Information Troubleshooting Cause and/or what to do about it • The camera is not switched on (p. 12, 19). • The cassette is not loaded or is set for erasure prevention (p. 10-11). • The tape has reached the end.• The battery pack is exhausted or not properly attached (p. 8, 9, 75). •...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 84 E ? The camera won’t focus. Note:• Some subjects are not suitable for autofocus. In these situations, you will often get better results using manual focus (see p. 51). Focus on something which isabout the same distance away, lock the focus, and then point the camera at yo...

Additional Information 85 E Miscellaneous • When recording in dark places a bright light in the scene may cause a verticallight bar (“smear”) to appear. This is anormal feature of camcorders. • The video heads need cleaning (p. 80). • The video heads need cleaning (p. 80). • The TV/VIDEO selector on...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 86 E BP-900 Series Lithium-ion Battery Pack WL-D72Wireless Controller MiniDVVideo Cassette CB-900 Car BatteryAdapter CA-500 Compact Power Adapter CG-500 Charge Adapter CH-900 Dual Battery Charger/Holder TV VCR TL-46 Tele-converter WD-46 Wide-converter FS-46U Filter Set FS-46...

87 E Additional Information Optional Accessories Battery packExtra battery for use with the ULTURA. CB-900 Car Battery AdapterPower your camera, or recharge batterypacks on the move. The car batteryadapter plugs into your car’s cigarettelighter socket and runs off a 12–24 V DCnegative ground battery...

88 E Ad ditional Inf ormation FS-46 Filter SetThree special effects filters to add acreative touch to your recordings:multiple-image, R-cross and zoom-spot.• Focus manually when using special effects filters. • There may be some vignetting when using special effect filters. WD-46 Wide-converterThis ...

Additional Information 91 E Finding Your Way Around ULTURA Zoom control (P. 15) MIC terminal (P. 48) Command dial (P. 28) Set button (P. 28) Stereo microphone Start/stop button(P. 12) FOCUS wheel (P. 52) Tally lamp (P. 30) Remote sensor (P. 29) DIGITAL EFFECTS button (P. 46) Grip belt (P. 74) Tripod...

To display the date and time on aconnected TV, press the wirelesscontroller’s DATA CODE button. Press the wireless controller’s TVSCREEN button to see the otherdisplays on the TV screen. (Thedisplays appear white on-screen.) Theywill not be added to any recordings youmake with the camera. indicates ...

95 E Additional Information 2 : 3 F 2 2 00 0 / 11 , 1 1 . N J A 0 0 9 9 9 AM Normal playback (p. 19) Fast forward (p. 19) Rewind (p. 19) Fast forward playback(p. 20) Rewind playback (p. 20) Frame advanceplayback (p. 21) Frame reverseplayback (p. 21) Playback pause(forward and reverse)(p. 20) Slow pl...

96 E Ad ditional Inf ormation White balance is (p. 56). SetOutdoorIndoor The 16:9 effects: thedisplay flashes whenthe effect is beingselected, and appearssteadily when it isactivated (p. 47). Digital effectsfunctions. The displayflashes when thefunction is beingselected and appearssteadily when it i...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 98 E Specifications ULTURA Power Supply (rated): 7.2 V DCPower Consumption (while recording with the AF turned on):5.4 W (Using view-finder), 6.2 W(Using LCD screen) Television system: EIA standard (525 lines, 60 fields)NTSC color signal Video recording system: 2 rotary head...

99 E Additional Information Index Å Abroad, Using the Camera, 81Accessories, 5, 87Adapter, AC, 8AE Programs, 41Art, 45Audio Output, 78Audio Recording and Playback, 48Audio/Video Terminals, 22Auto, 48Auto Editing, 59Autofocus, 51 ı Backup Battery, 76Basic Recording, 12Battery Pack, 9Black and White, ...

Ad ditional Inf ormation 102 E CANADA CANON CONSUMER DIGITAL VIDEO EQUIPMENT LIMITEDWARRANTY The limited warranty set forth below is given by Canon Canada Inc. (“Canon Canada”) with respect to Canon digital video equipmentpurchased in Canada. This limited warranty is only effective upon presentation...